Tariffs Create Storm Clouds Over Solar Stocks

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce has decided it's an excellent idea to intensify trade tensions with China. The situation would be laughable if real taxpayer money were not at stake. After losing over $500 million dollars from a loan guarantee with Solyndra (money at least in part was borrowed from China), the Commerce Dept. is now imposing anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese solar companies.

Solyndra is the poster child of why private equity is more efficient than taxpayer money chasing political goodwill and feel-good pet projects. At the same time the government was dumping hundreds of millions in dollars down the drain, private enterprise cracked enough natural gas to kill any thoughts of solar gaining traction for years to come.

In an almost perverse twist of fate, some companies who are the targets of the tariffs may end up winning in the long run. Many smaller solar manufacturers in China are faced with a virtual product-banning 250% import tariff. However, two or three key companies are expected to "only" pay 31% according to Peter Pham of AlphaVN.com. The companies may find the tariff a benefit in multiple ways, if they can last long enough to make it through the other side. All told, it appears 61 companies are members of the 31% club, while other factories face 249.96%.

Sell production to companies facing lower tariffs, which will in turn sell the products;

Look for markets outside the U.S.

If Suntech and Trina Solar can leverage the advantage over other producers enough to offset their own increased cost of business, they could end up winners almost immediately. Even without an immediate positive impact, both may end up winners.

Remaining major solar manufacturers could be well positioned to grab market share when the Commerce Department ends the increased tariff. A decrease in the number of companies to compete with doesn't necessarily result in lowered overall competition.

Fewer, albeit larger companies may result in new formidable competition. The world is awash in solar production capacity. European countries such as Germany have backed off from subsidies, and American based SunPower Corporation ( SPWR) and